Command and Staff Officer Guide, provides details for rehearsals. According to the manual, there are four types of rehearsals: Backbrief. Combined arms rehearsal. Support rehearsal. Battle drill or standard operating procedure rehearsal.
Resources Required for Implementation
Leaders employ these rehearsal types through six basic techniques: network, map, sketch map, terrain model, reduced force, and full dress rehearsal. All of these techniques require different kinds and amounts of resources. Their applicability covers a range of operations and units. Within each of these techniques, planners consider four factors: time, echelons involved, operations security risk, and terrain. Chapter 8 of ATTP 5–0.1 fully explains the benefits and challenges of the four factors associated with these six techniques. The techniques in figure 1 are depicted in relation to the resources required and the understanding gained. Which rehearsal to implement usually depends on how much time is available and the level of understanding required. In terms of understanding gained as a function of 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0% -
resources required, the terrain model is in the middle. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why leaders employ terrain model rehearsals (rehearsal of concept drills) most often. It is the so-called “sweet spot” that provides the most knowledge with limited resources. Army doctrine recommends rehearsal responsibilities and details the roles of commanders and staff officers. However, two even more significant areas must be considered. One area is the projected outcomes of conducting a rehearsal—what the unit gets out of conducting the rehearsal. The other area to consider is the “rules of thumb” to determine how leaders should conduct the rehearsal. The outcomes and the rules of thumb are important because rehearsals use significant training resources, such as dollars, time, and space.
Outcomes
Leaders divide outcomes (intangible and tangible) based on how they relate to the members of the unit and their professional development. (See figure 2.) Leader development is currently the number one priority of Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the chief of staff of the Army. Therefore, under-
Full Dress Reduced Force Terrain Model* Sketch Map Map Network Minimum
Understanding Gained
*Most popular rehearsal technique
Figure 1. Resources compared to rehearsal types. 26 Army Sustainment
Maximum
standing what leader-focused results we will produce is a significant step in planning a rehearsal. In fact, if the time and resources warrant only a quick review within the rehearsal, then leaders, including both officers and enlisted Soldiers, should be the primary audience. Tangible (measurable) outcomes are possible. They can be qualified and quantified on the battlefield. Synchronizing operations not only increases the effectiveness of the Soldiers and materiel but also provides the opportunity to increase unit support. Deconflicting movements and verifying decision points assist in measurable ways to increase the efficiency of military operations.
Rules of Thumb
There are four rules of thumb that will help leaders to determine if a rehearsal is necessary and to plan for it accordingly. Rehearse what has not yet happened. Needing to prepare for future operations is usually the primary reason to conduct any type of rehearsal. A rehearsal under these conditions not only assists in executing the operation but also in conducting future rehearsals. Rehearsals provide the opportunity for a commander to guide and direct the execution to a specific level of detail. Sustainment operations are inherently expensive. In fact, sustainment is accounted for through the expenditure of resources. Numbers of Soldiers, weapon systems, track miles, blade hours, and gallons of fuel are the substance of sustainment operations. Conducting rehearsals for sustainment operations is important for commanders to adequately and judiciously use the resources provided by the taxpaying public. Rehearse what is forgotten. In recent years, the Army conducted operations primarily from established support bases and into mature forward operating bases (FOBs). The tasks, conditions, and execution of nonpermissive or even permissive reception, staging, onward move-